Hibs boss Neil Lennon hopeful ex-Manchester United defender David Gray will be fit for St Mirren

NEIL Lennon is hopeful skipper David Gray will recover from injury in time for Hibs’ IRN-BRU Cup tie with St Mirren this weekend.

Gray had to be substituted at half-time in Sunday’s disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United after a first-half collision with his own keeper, Ofir Marciano.

The full-back’s departure with a groin problem allowed new signing Neal Eardley to make his debut but Lennon admits the Wales internationalist is currently short of the required fitness after eight months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

However, the Easter Road boss is optimistic Gray will be able to shake off his knock to return to the side on Saturday.

Lennon said: “We missed David when he went off. Neal has not been playing any football and he is undercooked. We brought him in as competition but he’s not ready yet, really.

“David was playing very, very well in the first-half. He sort of clashed with the goalkeeper and got a knee in his groin and there’s a bit of swelling there.

“Hopefully it’s not too bad. It’s a trauma injury so hopefully he’ll recover for the weekend.”